97 Nissan Truck clutch noise

Maintenance/Repairs
1

For a little wile now, I have had a growling noise when I depress the clutch pedal with the engine running. It mostly does it when the truck is cold and goes away after a few uses but was getting worse and taking longer to go away. The transmission shifts normally, the clutch operates normally and it does not make the noise if I put the transmission in neutral and let the clutch out. So I’m thinking dry throwout bearing.

I did an oil change Monday, and while it was up on the ramps, I decided to check the transmission oil level, I mean its got a 181k on it so its about time to check, right. Bone dry. I put about 2 qts of gear oil in the transmission that the service manual says has a 4 1/4 pint capacity. I took it out for a drive today and the noise is gone. Go figure.

I only drive the truck one or two times a week, sometimes less so in a couple of weeks I will check the transmission again for a leak, but there was no sign of a leak when I was under there Monday. But is still shifts smoothly, makes no noise.

2

That’s good you found the source of the problem. That transmission is more than likely fine. That particular transmission is very reliable and strong. I had a 97 hardbody as well and it had 229k on the original clutch when I got rid of it. I drove that thing for a decade… it was an awesome truck.

One thing - did you put GL-4 gear oil in it, or GL-5? From what I understand, GL-5 has an additive that eats the brass in the synchros, so I always used GL-4. But now I’m not sure anymore on how much truth there is to that.

3

GL-5 Mobil 1 75-90 synthetic, Its all I had on hand. when the truck was new, I drained the original gear oil and replaced it with this along with a little slick50 for manual transmissions. It hasn’t eaten up the syncros yet.

4

Ah ok. That may have been the standards for the fluid back in the day. I’m sure the gear oil you used is fine.